Board of Directors

DeAnn Farr, PhD, President

Retired from the U.S. Navy retired Medical Service Corps and Veterans Affairs

DeAnn started her professional career as an Intensive Care Unit nurse and served in Navy and civilian medical treatment facilities for decades. When she started as a nurse, she was heartbroken to see families already under stress about the health of their loved ones camped out in hallways or waiting rooms so they could be close when their loved ones needed them. Most of these families lived in rural or other areas not within daily driving distance from the hospital. After joining the Navy, she saw the same thing with military family members when Sailors on ships had family come from long distances to be there for them. DeAnn came across the first Fisher House on the National Naval Medical Center Bethesda Maryland compound in the early 1990s and asked if they were putting in another Navy Lodge. She was told, “No, this is better than that! This is a place for the families of those who have served and need our help.” She was overcome with gratitude to the leaders (Admiral Carlisle Trost and Zachary Fisher) and their remarkable wives (Pauline Trost and Elizabeth Fisher) who understood, and acted upon, the need to support families caring for their loved ones and the importance of having family with you while receiving medical care. DeAnn says “this is just a small way to try and honor the vision, honor, courage, and commitment of those leaders and our Veterans.”

John Stieven, Vice President & Co-Chair Finance Committee

Central Trust Company, Executive. Lt.Col. Air Force (ret)

John says he helps because when a serious sickness hits your family, the last thing you want to contemplate is being far from home to receive treatment — all alone. The Fisher House allows family members to come support their loved ones in their time of need. Helping others is John’s prime motivation for serving, and supporting, the Fisher House in St. Louis.

Margaret DeMotte, Treasurer & Co-Chair Finance Committee

American Rally Association a division of USAC, Treasurer (current), and Berco Industries, CFO (ret)

While there are many charities that help veterans, Fisher House is one of the few that helps their families as well. Margaret is grateful to Veterans for their service and sacrifice in keeping our country free. Margaret is hopeful that Veterans will do better physically and mentally when their families are near and secure, and she finds great meaning in volunteering her financial and reporting skills to the Fisher House.

Sandra Davenport, Secretary & Co-Chair Governance Committee

Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Benefits Administration, Public Affairs Officer (ret)

Sandi served as the Public Affairs Officer at the VA, and so was aware of the great work done at the Fisher House, where many Veterans and their families are served with respect, love and compassion. She said “of course I jumped at the chance to be a part of such a wonderful organization!”

Michael Banton, M.D.

Mercy Hospital St. Louis, Psychiatrist. Colonel, U.S. Army Reserve (ret)

Michael’s father, Dr. William C. Banton II, raised him to believe in the importance of our military, public health, caring and community service. Fisher House covers all these touch points. Michael said “it is an honor to serve our Veterans in this way.”

Marna’ Coleman, Co-Chair Public Affairs Committee

City of St. Louis – Public Safety /Neighborhood Stabilization Officer. U.S. Army / 31 B Military Police, Veteran.

Marna’s injuries during wartime put her in the infirmary far from home for many months, so she knows the importance of having carers around patients. She is very active in the St. Louis community at many levels, and deeply committed to service, advocacy, and the pursuit of meaningful change.

James B. Donahoe, Immediate Past President

Department of Veterans Affairs, Veteran Canteen Services, Director (SES ret). Col., U.S. Air Force (ret)

Jim retired from a 31-year career in the Air Force with the rank of Colonel. He then served 15+ years in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) as a member of the Senior Executive Service. In this position, he regularly visited VA hospitals across the country. He saw first-hand the personal and financial hardships faced by Veterans, and their accompanying families, who traveled to the VA for hospitalization. He became an early advocate for Fisher Houses when he saw the FREE services offered to families, and the resulting morale and financial benefits for hospitalized Veterans. As a volunteer, he served as the first President of the Fisher House St Louis Board with its founding in 2007, and he has held a seat on the board ever since.

Kim Dixon

Maritz, Corporate Accounting Manager

Kim is proud to have come from a Navy family. The board is very grateful that she has volunteered to oversee bookkeeping for the organization since 2015.

Paul Eichholz

U.S. Navy Machinist’s Mate (MM1/SS); Pharmaceutical Industry Quality Assurance and Operations Executive

Paul served in the Navy aboard nuclear-powered submarines for 10 years. He is a two-time recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. As a disabled veteran Paul has experienced the use of the VA Healthcare system firsthand and understands the critical role the Fisher House plays in the overall healthcare experience for veterans. Paul said “I want to make sure every person in our community knows about the Fisher House, its mission and the critical role it plays in the healthcare for a veteran and their families. I can think of no better cause, and I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors.”

Rose Epplin Garland, Co-Chair Public Affairs Committee

Greater St. Louis Federal Executive Board, Executive Director (ret)

Rose’s answer to why she serves on the board is “I love my country, and I appreciate the freedoms we have. I know we have them because of those who have served.”

Roger E. Rosenberg

Stock Broker, Edward Jones (ret), small business owner (ret); Col., U.S. Air Force (ret)

Roger served 26 years in the Air Force, including operational tours as a B-52 navigator/radar navigator and F-4 Weapons systems officer. His flying career included combat missions in Southeast Asia. Roger says “serving on the Fisher House Board is an opportunity to help veterans and their families who gave so unselfishly to their country.”

Kenneth R. Schieler

AT&T Supervisor (ret). U.S. Marine Corps Veteran

Ken says he was fortunate to serve for the Marine Corps during peaceful times. His support for the Fisher House is how he “repays” the service members and their families who have experienced much more difficult conditions that he did.

Brandi Smith

Area Resources for Community and Human Services (ARCHS), Vice President, Human Resources & Administrative Services

Brandi cares deeply about the St. Louis Fisher House because it provides an incredible source of comfort, stability, and support to military families during some of life’s most difficult moments. Brandi wrote “These families sacrifice so much in service to our country, and when they are faced with the uncertainty of medical care for a loved one, Fisher House gives them the gift of being together without the added burden of financial or logistical stress. This mission has taken on an even more personal meaning for me recently, as my son has joined the Air Force. Stepping into the role of a military parent has given me a new appreciation for the unique challenges and sacrifices that come with being part of a military family—the pride, the worry, and the resilience it requires. Knowing that there are places like the Fisher House that allow families to stay close to their loved ones during times of need brings me peace and gratitude. It’s a reminder that behind every service member is a family who also serves, and the Fisher House honors and supports that service in such a meaningful way.”

Matthew Stacker

Col., U.S. Army Reserves (ret), U.S. Department of Defense; Transportation Command, and Watch Commander, U.S. Strategic Command Global Operations (ret).

Matt retired as a Army Reserve Colonel after 33 years of service. He recently retired from federal civil service, working for the Department of Defense in operations, planning, strategy, and acquisition roles. He first learned about the Fisher House mission while stationed at Fort Bragg in 1993. He is active with the American Legion and has a passion for caring for Veterans and youth development. Matt coaches the Legion’s Post 218 Youth Trap Shooting Team. Matt said “What the Fisher House does to support our veterans and their families is truly remarkable and makes a tremendously positive impact on their lives in difficult times.”

Kenneth A. Young

U.S. Air Force Transportation Command IT (ret). Col., U.S. Army (ret)

Ken retired as an active duty Colonel from a 28-year career in the Army. He went on to serve the Army another nine years as a senior civilian. Ken sought out opportunities to bring his many skills to support the needs of our larger military family. Throughout his military career, he witnessed numerous benefits provided by Fisher Houses throughout the world. He saw first-hand the hardships faced by active-duty members, veterans, and their families while loved ones were hospitalized. Ken is very active in the St. Louis area military community.

J. Patrick Wiese, Co-Chair Governance Committee

Department of Veterans Affairs (ret); Captain, U.S. Coast Guard (ret)

Service has been the overarching theme of Pat’s life. He graduated from the Coast Guard Academy, then served for 25 years. On retirement from the USCG, he worked for the Maritime Administration, then went on to the Department of Veteran Affairs where he served as St. Louis Regional Counsel.

James W. Kienker

Maritz, CFO (ret). U.S. Army Veteran

Jim served in the Army as a helicopter pilot, on active duty for four years in the early 1970s. He had very good experience in the Army but knew other Veterans in that period who did not fare as well. Jim went on to become the Chief Financial Officer for Maritz, Inc., one of the largest privately held companies in St. Louis. He met Jim Donahoe when the Fisher House in St. Louis was just getting off the ground. Knowing that he could help Veterans in need inspired him. Jim served as Treasurer of the board for 14 years. He says “Fisher House is the best non-profit organization I’ve ever been associated with.”

Laura Neuman-Howe, can be reached at (314) 621-6182 or FisherHouseStLouis@gmail.com